Henry bessemer



UNITED STATES 'PATENTv OFFICE.

' HENRY BESSEMER, OF LONDON, GREAT BRITAIN.

IMPROVEMENTl IN MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF'IRON AND STEEL.

Specilication forming part of Letters Patent No. 49,055, dated July 25,1865.

To all whom it may concern.-

vvBe it known that I, HENRY BEssnMER, ot'

.Queen Street Place, New Cannon Street, in the cityr of London, in the Kingdom of Great Britait, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus Employed in the Manufacture of Iron and Steel;

and I do hereby declarethe following to bea 'vessel on its axis; also, in -attaching to the vessel a tu'yere-box and arranging other parts, by means ot' which air or steam is introduced into the converting-vessel in order to facilitate the use and repairs of the apparatus; also, in the arrangement, counterbalancing, and movement of the ladle and crane employed in transferring the iluid iron or steel from the converting-vessel tothe molds; also, in employing two or more valves in the-ladle to provide greater security against the setting ofthe metal in the vessel also, in using'an intermediate vessel or basin having severallips or holes, so that one large stream directed from the ladleiuto the basin may be conveyed by said lips or holes with less force and in smallerquantities into several ingot-molds beneath, for the purpose of making sounder ingots, andattbe same time emptying the ladle rapidly; also, in' forming tuyeres for the above-mentioned converting-vessels by pressure from dry or nearly dry materials.

To enable others skilled in the art to more fully understand and constructanduse my' Sheet A, is a longitudinal section of the tuyerebox J and converting-vessel G partially turned down, andan elevation ofthe ladle A and ladlecranel B for receiving the fluid' metal from the converting-vessel and conveying it to the molds. Fig. 2, ,Sh-ect A, is a longitudinal section ot' the hydraulic cylinder C and piston D, and an elevation of the rack E and pinion F for rotating the converting-vessel on its axis H. Fig. 1, Sheet B` is a plan of the apparatus shown on SheetA. The converting-vessel G is turned bottom upward and the cover ot' the tuyerebox J is removed. Fig. 2, Sheet B,is a section, on a larger scale, ot' a p'art of the side K of the converting-vessel, and of the hollow trunnions H, and of a part of the air-pipe L which .conducts air l rom the blowing-engine to the converting-vessel. Fig. 1, Sheet C, is an elevation, Fig. 2 is section, and Fig. 3 is a plan, of another form of lad-le and crane. Fig. A

4 is a section ot' the hydraulic lift for raising and lowering the ladle and crane, and Figs. 3

to 6 are sections and plans of ingot-inolds and intermediatebasins to be used between the-ladle and the ingot-molds.

The converting-vessel I at 'present preferis made of stout plate-iron lined with a silicious stone called genieten7 or with any suitable refractory material.

mouth-piece. The converting-vessel is mounted on trunnions, through one ot' which the air for decarbonizing the fluid crude viron is con'- I yveyed to tuyeres situated in the lower part of the vessel, and thence into the vessel.

motion and the stopping or starting of it at irregular intervals are most con yenien'tly effected by such means. y

The apgaratus by which I carry into eiect this part ot myimprovements consists of a bed-plate or frame, onwhich a hydraulic cylinder is tixed in a horizontal position. The piston-rod moving in this cylinder is formed into a rack at one end, which gears into a spur-wheel keyed onto a short intermediate shaft supported on two strong standards affixed to the said bed-plate. A third standard on the same bed-plate supports one axis ot' the con verting-vessel, the end of the axis beingformed into a clutch. A similar clutch-piece is also formed on one end of the before-named intermediate shaft, and is so' Theform' of the vessel is p cylindrical, with rounded ends and an inclined 1 arranged as to transmit the semi-rotary' motion ot' the spur-wheel to the vessel whenever the piston is acted upon with sufcient hydrostatic pressure on one side, while the other side of it is relieved ot' its pressure by a suitable valve or cock. This hydraulic apparatus is shown to support the standards N, in which the shaft H works. 'Within the cylinder C is a piston, D, having double-cupped leathers, to render it water-tight. There is also a pipe attached to each end of the cylinder, which pipes lead un.- der ground toa convenientdistance, where they are united to a suitably-arran ged four-way cock, and by means ot' which the workman'can cause water under pressure to be delivered by the pipes to either end ofthe cylinder, while the pipe at the opposite end of the'cylinder will allow'thewater to be discharged4 Thus the work- 'man may from a distance control the motion of the piston, the rod of which is formed into a rack at E, which is in gear with the spurwheel F, keyed on the axis of the vessel,.and

:through theagency of which mechanism the Workman who operates upon the four-way cock before referred to may cause the vessel to move partly round in either direction ata speed dependent on the extent to which he opens the cock, or by entirely closing the said cock hemay retain the vessel in any desired position.

I willnow show the manner in which I prefer vto convey theair into the converting-vessel. The .pipe L, Sheet B, conducts air from the blast-engine to the ,hollow trunnion H of the` converting-vessel, which is shown on an enlarged scale at Fig. 2, Sheet BY ',lhe `joint ofr the pipe L, with the trunnion, is made tight by means of the stufting-box I. From the hollowtrunnions the air is conducted through the pipe 'Q intoa tuyere-box attached to the convertingvessel. This tuyerebox forms an air-reservoir, from which all, the tuyeres R lead into the interior of the'convertin g-vessel. seen that a constant stream of air may be kept blowing into the converting-vessel, whatever the position of said vessel may be, and also while-said vessel is turning on its axis. The tuyeres are made of tire-clay or other suitable material, and are cylindrical in form for the greater part of their length, the lower part swelling out into a cone for the-purpose of titting it more securely into the top of the tuyereother six surrounding it at equal distances, Vthus dividing the air into thirty-five separate jets, which pass vertically'upward through .the

' tlui'd metal.

It will thus be- The tuyere-bo'x 'isf entirely vconstructed of iron or steel, and is held onto the large angleflange S ot' the converting-vessel by means of slotted studs and cutters, so as to enable it to be readily removed for the purpose of facilitate ing the repairs ot' the apparatus. The openings in the upper part of the tuyere-box are conical in form, having deep grooves formed in.`

them. Through theseopenings the tuyeres are inserted, a little wet 'clay being first smeared j round the conical part to cause a close joint to be made. The spaces T-between the tuyeres are filled up .with any suitable material. Iprefer ay ground stoneknown as ganister mixed into, the consistency of batter with water; After the tnyere-box is secured to thebott'om ot' theconverting-vessel this semi-duid matter is poured in until it reaches the top ot' the tuyeres, and" thusfills up the vacant spaces between them and the lining of thevessel, which lining may also consist entirely of ganister rammed 'iu a moistI state, as in making a sand mold for casting; ,or the vessel may tirst have aliningof tire-brick, and be-then lined with ,eganister or road-drift to protect the bricks from the action of the molten metal and slags. The bottom I of the tuyereboxA J is fastened on by any 'suitable means. as to be easily removed, Awhen necessary, t0 ascertain it the tuyeres areopen and in working.- order, or to stop up or repair or renew any of the tuyeres. t

The kind of'furnace which I preler for melting crude metal is the ordinary air or reve-r A beratory furnace but as suoli furnaces form no part of my invention I have not shown theml .in the drawings.

Before using the apparatus for the conversion of crude molten iron` into malleable iron or steel a fire should'.be made in the vessel, and by means ofthe blast the lini'ng of the vessel should be well heated, after which the iemaining fuel may be emptied out by turning the vessel on its own axis one-.half of a revolution, which will entirely empty the vessel. The ves- 'sel should then be turned into such a position su table trough or gutter the liquid iron inthe .melting-furnace may then be run into the mouth of the vessel. As soon as this is `done the blast may be turned on and the hanle of the hydraulic apparatusV is moved so as to canse the vessel to assume 'the vertical position. The f process-is thus brought into full activity, the sparks and llame being received into a. suitable chimney. So soon as the metal has been converted the hydraulic handle is reversed and the month of the vessel steadily and slowly lowered, whereby the whole ofr the converted metal -will be poured out and be received ina suitable casting-ladle. The vessel may then be turned a little farther round until the month of itis as low as possible. A sudden turning on I prefer slotted studs and cotters',4` so,v

` port the axes n2 of the casting-ladles.

of the blast for a few seconds will blow out Y gearing, so as to cause the ladle to move round when required, and thus pour out its contents over a'spout or lip formed in the upper part thereof. Ialso form in the bottom ofthe said ladle two or more openings provided with suitable plugs or Stoppers, which are guided e'xternally, and are provided with handles, so as to let into the molds a regulated supply of metal when desired. On the opposite end of the cross-head I place a counter-weighaR, which I prefer to be equal to the weight ofthe casting-ladle, and also equal to one-half of the metal to be lifted i-n such ladle; or, in lieu of or'in addition to such counter-weight, I sometimes employa second ladle at this end of the cross-head, for the purpose ot' receiving converted or partially converted metal from any one of the converting-vessels, or from any other source, and of elevating or transferring it to any one or other of the converting-vessels, when found necessary or desirable. Tile object of the counterweight is to partially neutralize the weight of the ladle and its contents, thus relieving the strain on the hydraulic apparatus which carries the crane.

The mode -in which the hydraulic crane is constructed will be understood by reference to Sheet() of thc annexed drawings, where Fig. l is a side elevation, showing part of the ram and cylinder broken oli'. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same, and Fig. 3 aplan, and Fig. 4 a vertical section, of Ithe ram and cylinder,

' taken at right angles to Figs. lland 2.

a is the outer cylinder, the upper part of which is bored out and fitted truly to the hollow ram b, which is keptwater-tight by the stuffing-box c. Into the upper part ofthe ram is fitted` an axis, d, which forms -thecrane-post. The lower part of it rests in afootstep, bit, and is further supported at b', where a collar is formed,in which it is free to revolve. On the axis d is keyed an iron casting, e, to which the at wrought-iron or steel bnrsj'fare bolted. At each end of and between these hars pieces of iron, g, are'secnrely fastened,ser ving not only to hold the bars fin-'position, but, having a hole horedthrough them7 serve also to sup- To the upper part of the4 pieces g are also fastened one end of the tension-rods-, while the other ends of them are supported by the elongated axis dit, and thus enables the apparatus to supporta great weight ot' metal in the castingladlesm, which are constructed of sheet plateironstrengthened by hoopsmf, between which aspace is formed to receive the two halves t a stout iron-hoop, 'n and n', the part n' heilig readily detached, while the other half has a projecting part, n2, which forms the axis on which the ladle is turned round. A piece ot iron, p, is riveted in between the bars f, and serves to support one end of the axis-of the ladle, which has keyed onto it a worm-wheel,

q, into which a worm is geared, the worm-shaft the upper part being formed into a hollow cone, I

into which a conical plug or val ve-piece, s, also` ot burned lire-clay, is fitted. This plug 1s fastened onto an iron rod, t, which is coated with loam` to defend it from the metal. o

On the outside ofthe ladle a sliding bar, u, works up and Adown in guides o by means of the handle w, and to the upper end of the har u the rod t is iixed, so that the lifting-up ot' the handle w will cause acorresponding' mog- .tion of the valve-plugs and allow the iuid metal to run out in a clear stream, freefrom the melted scoria which iloats on its-surface. A-Clwo or more valves may be made in each ladle but when two are employed I preferrto place them diagonally, as representedI at `Fig. 3, as it ali'ords a better opportunity of working the handles. After lilling a mold from each valve the ladle may be moved round .on the axis d until the valves are brought over other molds, when the iit'ting of the handles will again allow the metal to ow. The molds should be placed in a semicircularl pit'previons tothe casting operation. A portion of this pitis shown at y, having an iron curb, z, around it. The .ladle and portion of the crane are lowered down into'the cavity y formed in thefloor ot' the converting-house. The lines show the position which the molds should occupy in or` der to come under the valves when the crane is turned round. The ladies should be lined with loam and well dried and heated before running the'metal from the converting-vessel into them. The dryingis easily effected by inverting the ladles by means of the worm and handle, and then lowering them over 'a small tire made in a basket for that purpose, and placed within the sweep of the crane. In order to receive the metal fromv the converting-vessel it will be necessary first to elevate the ladle so as to catch the tirst portions of the metal thatruns out. The further lower- -ing ofthe mouth of the converting-vessel will render necessary the lowering down ,ofgthe `casting-ladle, so as to catch the whole ot' the l molds. This rise and fall of the ladlareeff 1 serviceable, or for transferring the metal from v't'heladle, and to be moved away from over the fected with ease and steadiness by means ot Y hydrostatic pressure acting on the raml b. Water for this purpose maybe had from a vessel containing vwater under a pressure of two hundred vto three hundred pounds per square inch, for the purpose of working the hydraulic cylinders thaty move4 the converting-vessels. The-Water from this vessel is to be admitted by ya'stopfcock placedy in any convenient posi-- tion, .and communicating with the "pipe a* atA the foot ot the ram. When the ram is lowered down by the discharge of the water from the cylinder the conical projecting piece b3 enters the oritice through which the water escapes and partially closes the passage, whereby any concussion that might otherwise be caused by su'ch a heavy mass striking the bottom of the cylinder is prevented by the last part of its descent being very slow in consequence of the diminisned area el' the outet. One ofthe ladies will onlybe generally required for casting; but the second one is most valuable in case of any accident rendering the former one unone converting-vessel to another, .when .necessary. The second ladle serves also as acounter-balance to the other one, and may be loaded to halt the weight of the charge of fluid metal, and thus equalize more nearly the strain upon the apparatus.

Another method of arranging thel ladle and the crane is shown by Sheets A and B of the accompanying drawings. The cheeks or bars U forming the crane-arm are in this case far' enough apart to take in the ladle A between them. The ladle is supported on 'trunnions formed thereon and rests in bearings formed near the ends of the crane-arm, the axis of the ladle being at right angles to the cheeks of the crane. The motion of the ladle on its trunnions is effected by a worm and wheel, T,'to `Jvjhich motion is communicated by a shaftand handles. This shaft works' in bearings formed in the crane-arm, and a pair of beveled wheels serves to communicate its motion to the worm which moves the ladle. Various other'means, oi' either tipping the ladle on its axis and of preventing the ladle from tipping will suggest themselves to mechanics. The motion of the ladle on itsaXes affords facilityfor the discharge therefrom of fuel put there to dry it, also the slags or other mattersy left after it has been used. It also allows the ladle to be inverted over a tire, when that mode of heating is preferred. 4A ladle merely suspended-as by a chain, forinstance-so as to be capable of lateral or swinging motion, or ofspinning motion, I would be liable to be moved away from under the mouth ofthe con vertiug-vessel by the force ofthe fluid wrought-iron or steel pouring into ingot-m'olds by various causes, thus spillinga part ofthe duid iron or steel. It is also important that the stream of iron or steel should enterv near the vertical axis of' thcmolds to prevent its striking the sidesot the molds.-

Now, it will bevseen that withA my improved apparatusas above described, the ladlercan be tipped or held from tipping. von its axis whenl f havingseveral lips or spouts formed around .its upper-edge, or having several openings made in the bottom thereof, so that whensuch basin is placed above several small ingotor other molds one large stream from the castin g-ladle directed into such basi n will, by means of the said lips or holes, be conveyedwith less force and in smaller quantities into the severalmolds beneath,'by which means sounder ingots will be produced, owing to the diminished velocity with which the 'metal enters the mold from these basins, vwhile the slow illin g of each mold by a small streamvof metal also-.tends to improve the ingots, but at the same time does not prevent the rapid emptying of the casting-ladle, and thus a large number ot' small ingots may be made from one large ladle of metal without retaining the metaltherein until it has cooled too far for casting. In order that this mode of supplying the metal to the several ingot-molds may be fully understood, I havegiven on SheetB of the drawings a vertical section of the basin and molds at.Figf3,and a plan of the same at Fig. 4.

Another modification of the basin is shown in section at Fig. 5, anda plan at Fig. 6. A

representsl the lower portion ot' the castingladle, from which alarge stream of metal ilows into the basin B, which may have four holes,

D, iu the bottom ot' it, each of the required diameter. It rests upon a block of lire-clay, E, which is placed on the molds F. These molds are simply square tubes, slightly conical, and resting on dat plates Fli. i

In Fig. 5 the basin G is shown as resting on the top of the molds H. It has a lip or spout formed on eachv side, as shown at I, Fig.6.

When the molten steel is poured into this basin it rwill overflow at the several spouts and.V

ties `of the metal; and I'have found it preferable to form such tuyeres as dense and` as free as possible from those cracks which are fre queutly found in tuyeres made of plastic clay.' y For this purpose I employ ganister,` silicate ot l alumina, fire-clay, silicate of magnesia, lime', plumbago, or oxide of iron. may be used alone, or any two or more of them These substances t be used in a dry or nearly dry state.

press these matters, or either of them, in a suit` may be combined in any desirable proportions. They are to be reduced to a fine powder and to I comable moldby means of hydraulic pressure or by percussion, after which the tuyeres so made may be used in the state in which they come from the mold; butI prefer irst to bake them in apotterykiln and to glaze the interior of the holes so as to render them smooth and even.

, I do not confine myself to the precise arrangement of parts herein shown, and details not herein laid down maybe carried out in any manner known to the art, and which may be found suitable to my invention.

Having thus described my invention, the following is what Iclaim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A converting-vessel capable of rotary motion upon its own axi s, in combination with a rack and pinion, or any equivatent mechanism operated by hydrostatic pressure in a cylinder, for the purposeof giving to such vessel a rotary or semi-rotary movement. y 2. A' converting-vessel, combined with a tuyere-box so construnted as to constitute a chamber for receiving air for decarbonizing crude liquid metals and distributing such air to the tuyeres.

3. A tuyere-box so constructed as to `constitute a chamber for receiving air for decarboniziug crude liquid metal and distributing such air to the tuyeres, when the bottom of said tuyere-box is made of a piece or pieces suitable to be easily removed, asl and for the purposes set forth. 4

4. The combination of the ladle with the crane-arm or its equivalent, so that the ladle shall b e held in a fixed position relatively to the crane-arm, but shall be capable of being tipped when desired, substantiallyas and for the purposes specified.

5. The combination of a ladle capable of being held in a fixed position relatively to 'the crane-arm or its equivalent, substantially as described, with any suitable means of lowering-the ladle, as and for the purposes specitied.

6. The employment, in the manufacture of malleable iron or steel, of casting-ladles having tivo or more valvularopeniugsin their bottoms.

7. The method ot' filling several molds at one time froma basin or vesselhaving several outlets, such basin or vessel being supplied with fluid malleable iron or steel during such casting process, substantially as described.

8. The method herein described of forming tuyeies by pressure from dry or nearly dry materials.

HENRY BESSEMER.

Witnesses: f

Trios. BROWN, DAVD. LoNGsDoN. 

